Trilogy Repertory production of The Fantasticks opens tonight at Fellowship Cultural Arts Center

The Fantasticks, a Trilogy Repertory production, will be performed at the brand-new Fellowship Cultural Arts Center on Thursday, September 19, Friday, September 20, and Saturday, September 21 at 7:30 PM and then on Sunday, September 22 at 2:30 pm. Purchase your tickets here! Want to know the background of the show? Read on…

Try To Remember a time when this romantic charmer wasn’t enchanting audiences around the world.

The Fantasticks is the longest-running musical in the world, and with good reason: at the heart of its breathtaking poetry and subtle theatrical sophistication is a purity and simplicity that transcends cultural barriers. The result is a timeless fable of love that manages to remain both nostalgic and universal.

The Fantasticks is a funny and romantic musical about a boy, a girl, and their two fathers who try to keep them apart. The narrator, El Gallo, asks the audience to use its imagination and to follow him into a world of moonlight and magic. The boy and the girl fall in love, grow apart, and finally find their way back to each other after realizing the truth in El Gallo’s words that, “Without a hurt, the heart is hollow.”  

Performing in the cast are David Rittenhouse of Califon as El Gallo; Nic Re of Bernardsville as the boy, Matt; and Gabby Perez of Berkeley Heights as the girl, Luisa. Portraying the fathers are Adam Barr of Basking Ridge as Bellomy and Bill Osman of North Brunswick as Hucklebee. Rounding out the small cast are Hank Barre of Basking Ridge as Henry, Glenston Miranda of Somerset as Mortimer, and Harry Hess of Basking Ridge as The Mute.  Jaye Barre will direct the production with musical direction by Joseph Lesky and choreography by Jill Cookingham.

'Dracula' opens October 4 at Lord Sterling Theater Company

The Lord Stirling Theater Company will perform “Dracula” in the English Barn Theater at the Farmstead Arts Center, 450 King George Road, Basking Ridge, NJ. “Dracula” will open on Friday, October 4, at 7:30PM, with additional performances on October 5 at 7:30PM, October 6 at 4:00PM, October 11 and 12 at 7:30PM, and October 13 at 4:00PM. Tickets are $20 general admission, $18 for seniors (65 and over) and students (under 18), and $15 for Farmstead Arts members. Tickets may be purchased online at http://farmsteadarts.eventbrite.com or at the door (cash only).

“Dracula” is the first authorized stage adaptation of Bram Stoker’s classic 1897 vampire novel. Written by Hamilton Deane in 1924, then revised by John L. Balderston in 1927, the play was produced on Broadway in 1927, with Bela Lugosi in the lead. Lugosi went on to immortalize the role in the 1931 film, which was based on the play. “Dracula” returned to Broadway in a 1977 revival starring Frank Langella. It won the Tony Award for Best Revival and led to another movie version in 1979, also starring Langella.

Lucy, Dr. Seward's daughter and John Harker's fiancée, is suffering from the same mysterious illness that took the life of her friend Mina. Dr. Seward has called his old friend Abraham Van Helsing, an expert on strange illnesses and forgotten lore, to help diagnose and treat her. The terrible dreams that Lucy has been having, her anemia, and the two red pinprick wounds at her throat, lead Van Helsing to believe she is the victim of a vampire. He suspects their charismatic new neighbor from Transylvania, Count Dracula. To protect Lucy from transforming into a vampire herself, Van Helsing, Dr. Seward, and Harker must kill Dracula with a stake to the heart.  

The Lord Stirling Theater Company’s production of “Dracula” is directed by William Ward of Basking Ridge. The cast includes (in order of appearance): Matthew Gochman of Jersey City as John Harker, Eileen McShane of Bernardsville as The Maid, Bob Scarpone of Flanders as Dr. Seward, Allen L. Roberts of Maplewood as Abraham Van Helsing, Adam S. Gelles of Waldwick as Renfield, Lee Grabelsky of Monroe as The Attendant, Cheryl Bear of Montville as Lucy Seward, and Maxwell C. Blackriver of Mendham as Count Dracula. “Dracula” is presented by special arrangement with Samuel French, Inc., a Concord Theatricals Company.

“Dracula” closes The Lord Stirling Theater Company’s sixth season at the Farmstead Arts Center, which also featured a production of Oscar Wilde’s “The Importance of Being Earnest” that received the 2019 NJACT Perry Award for Outstanding Costume Design of a Play and was nominated in six other categories, including Outstanding Production of a Play. Past production seasons include “Treasure Island” and “Othello” in 2018, “Arsenic and Old Lace” and “Of Mice and Men” in 2017, “And Then There Were None” and “The Dresser” in 2016, “The Tempest” and “Frankenstein’s Fate” in 2015, and “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” in 2014. A dynamic community of creative artists based in Basking Ridge, the group is committed to presenting innovative theater for diverse audiences, through readings and full productions of classical theater and new works, as well as exploring the American experience through compelling productions that illuminate and celebrate our history, culture and literature. The theater group fosters the next generation of theater artists and audiences by providing unique hands-on educational programming and training in all aspects of theater production.

The English Barn Theater is wheelchair accessible. Anyone anticipating the need for additional accessibility services please send an e-mail in advance to farmsteadartscenter@gmail.com.

Funds for these events have been made possible in part by the New Jersey State Council on the Arts/Department of State, a partner agency of the National Endowment for the Arts, through the State/County Partnership Local Arts Program Grant administered by The Somerset County Cultural & Heritage Commission.

Light Opera of NJ presenting showcase for young artists

Basking in Light       A pre-professional showcase featuring several amazing young artists!    Friday, September 20, 2019 at 8 PM and Saturday, September 21, 2019 at 8PM Saint Mark's Episcopal Church  140 South Finley Avenue   Basking Ridge, NJ 07920

Come see THESE fine young performers on their way to stardom!

This showcase will include songs and scenes from many LONJ shows ranging from Thoroughly Modern Millie to The Magic Flute, from Showboat to the Pirates of Penzance, and many others. Tickets for this showcase are $25 for adults and $10 for children 12 and under and can be obtained at https://lightoperaofnewjersey.org/tickets/ or call 908- 903-0700

Centenary Stage Company Young Audience Season opener 'Polkadots: the Cool Kids Musical'

The Centenary Stage Company Young Audience Season returns for the 2019 – 2020 season with Polkadots: the Cool Kids Musical on September 26^th thru September 30^th in the Little Theater on the campus of Centenary University at 400 Jefferson Street, Hackettstown, NJ. The story follows 8-year-old Lily Polkadot who just moved to the “Squares Only” small town of Rockaway. As the first Polkadot in an all Square school, Lily faces an almost impossible task of gaining acceptance from her peers. From daily bullying to segregated drinking fountains, Lily’s quest seems hopeless until she meets Sky, a shy Square boy whose curiosity for her unique polkadot skin blooms into an unexpected pal-ship. Inspired by the events of The Little Rock 9, Polkadots serves as a colorful history lesson for children, reminding them that our individual differences make us awesome, not outcasts.

Performance dates and times are Thursday September 26 at 7:30pm, Friday and Saturday September 27^th and 28^th at 8pm, Sunday September 29^th at 2pm, and Monday September 30^th at 7pm. There will be a relaxed performance on Friday September 27^th at 11am. Centenary Stage Company's Autism-Friendly Relaxed Performances allow families with children on the autism spectrum or with other sensory sensitivities to enjoy high-quality live entertainment in a safe, welcoming, sensory-friendly environment. Autism-friendly relaxed performances provide a judgement-free environment that may include lighting and sound levels that are modulated to reduce anxiety and stress, a relaxed attitude toward noise and moving around during the show, and a separate break area with soft seating, fidget toys, and activities. Ushers and volunteers are specifically trained to assist you in this environment.

In addition to "in-house" performances, the Young Audience Series offers a selection of productions available for touring. Book a production of Polkadots for your school and bring the fun right to you! ​ For more information or for tickets, please contact the Centenary Stage Company box office at 908-979-0900 or log onto Centenarystageco.org. The box office is open 1-5pm on Monday through Friday, as well as two hours prior to every performance, and is located at 715 Grand Avenue, Hackettstown, NJ.

The 2019-2020 season of performing arts events at the Centenary Stage Company is made possible through the generous support of the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation, the NJ State Council on the Arts, the Shubert Foundation, the Blanche and Irving Laurie Foundation, the Sandra Kupperman Foundation, Zonta Morristown Chapter and CSC corporate sponsors, including Season Sponsor Heath Village Retirement Community, The House of the Good Shepherd, Silver Sponsors Hackettstown Medical Center with Atlantic Health System, Home Instead Senior Care (Washington), Fulton Bank, and Centenary Stage Company members and supporters.       

Auditions: 'Caberet' at Theater To Go at Kelsey

CABARET (1998 version)

Book by James Masteroff

Based on the play by John Van Druten and stories by Christopher Isherwood

Music by John Kander

Lyrics by Fred Ebb


THEATER TO GO

Director: Ruth Markoe

Music Director: Israel "Buzz" Herman

Choreographer: Haley Schmalbach

Stage Manager: Dennis Tolentino

ABOUT THE SHOW:

Set in 1931 Berlin, as the Nazis are rising to power, is set in the cabaret underworld on the eve of Hitler’s rise to power. This unforgettable musical tells the story of Cliff Bradshaw, a young American writer newly arrived in Berlin, and his relationship with cabaret singer Sally Bowles. Their relationship blossoms amid the back room culture of the cabaret and the tumultuous atmosphere of pre-Nazi Germany. Cabaret is a raw and powerful jazz musical that explores the dark life of Berlin’s natives and expatriates as Germany slowly yields to the emerging Third Reich. The show has had numerous Broadway and London revivals and is the winner of multiple Tony Awards, including Best Musical and Best Original Score for Kander and Ebb’s compelling musical numbers which include, “Willkommen”, “Money”, “Tomorrow Belongs To Me”, “Maybe This Time”, and “Cabaret”. Come to the Cabaret, your table’s waiting!

PERFORMANCE DATES:

Friday, January 31 & February 7, 2020 at 8pm

Saturday, February 1 & 8, 2020 at 8pm

Sunday, February 2 & 9, 2020 at 2pm



AUDITION DATES & TIMES:

Sunday, October 27, 2019 (11am-3 pm)

Monday, October 28, 2019 (7-10pm)

Callbacks by invitation, Saturday, November 2, 2019 (Time TBD)



Auditions will be held on the Mercer County Community College West Windsor Campus. Check the Kelsey Theatre sign board for a room location on the day of your audition. MCCC is located at 1200 Old Trenton Rd, West Windsor NJ 08550


APPOINTMENTS AND QUESTIONS:

For questions or comments or if you are unable to make the audition, please contact Dennis Tolentino at dennistolentino1@yahoo.com or 732-485-7108 to make arrangements.

SIGN UP FOR AN AUDITION SLOT HERE: Theater To Go AUDITIONS for CABARET

PREPARE:

Audition forms can be filled out ahead of time (will be emailed out the week prior) or at the time of your audition.
Please arrive at least 15 minutes proper to your slot if you need to complete an audition form on site.
Bring a headshot (or similar photo) and resume, or send vial email to dennistolentino1@yahoo.com
Know your conflicts to list on the audition sheet. Please be thorough.
Audition forms can be filled out ahead of time (will be emailed out the week prior) or at the time of your audition.
Vocal Audition: Please prepare 16-32 bars of a favorite or a jazz standard and please bring music in the proper key.
Dance Call: Please wear comfortable dance clothing and appropriate footwear. Character shoes encouraged but not required.
Principal Roles: Please prepare a short monologue no more than 2 minutes. You will also be asked to sing and possibly to learn a few dance steps.
Please be prepared to stay for up to an hour

CHARACTER INFORMATION:

All roles are Non-Equity, unpaid.

Emcee, Lead, Male/Female 20-50

Vocal range: middle C to high C#, tenor; the host/master of ceremonies at the Kit Kat Klub--presented as a gender-questionable character comfortable with being close to both men and women; comedic, lovable; requires agile stage movement and dance; age range and appearance flexible, speaks with a German accent.

Sally Bowles, Lead, Female, 20-35
Vocal range: low A to high C, soprano, strong belt; a British cabaret singer at the Kit Kat Klub, a quirky character who comes across as flighty, yet at times struggles with knowing the darkness of the reality of her life as a cabaret performer; comfortable with stage movement and light dance; speaks with a British accent.

Clifford (Cliff) Bradshaw, Lead, Male, 20-35
Vocal range: low A to high E, tenor; an American novelist and English teacher traveling to Berlin; presented as a closeted gay man exploring his sexuality; comfortable with stage movement and light dance; speaks with an American accent.

Fraulein Schneider, Supporting, Female, 50+
Vocal range: low D to Ab above middle C, alto; a landlady who rents rooms in her large flat; comfortable with stage movement and light dance (waltz); speaks with a German accent.

Herr Schultz, Supporting, Male, 50+
Vocal range: low G to high F, tenor; one of Fraulein Schneider’s roomers and the proprietor of a fruit shop; comfortable with stage movement and light dance; speaks with a German accent.

Fraulein Kost, Supporting, Female, 25-40
Vocal range: low A flat to high F, alto/mezzo; another of Fraulein Schneider’s roomers, she earns money by offering favors to sailors, presentation of the character should exhibit a strong sexual comfort and commanding nature; comfortable with stage movement; speaks with a German accent.

Ernst Ludwig, Supporting, Male, 20-50
Sings in the chorus, vocal range flexible; a friendly and likable German, takes English lessons from Cliff, and smuggles funds for the Nazi party; comfortable with stage movement and light dance (waltz); age range is flexible, speaks with a German accent.

Kit Kat Klub Girls, Ensemble, Female, 18-35
Various featured roles; seeking strong singers in all voice parts; the individuals will also be part of various scenes as performers and as club patrons; the ladies can be of various shapes and sizes--the key is that they are comfortable with their femininity and scanty costumes that show off sex appeal; features (“Two Ladies”, “Telephone Dance”, etc.) will be drawn from this group; excellent dance skills required.

Kit Kat Klub Boys, Ensemble, Males & Females, 18-34
Various features; seeking strong singers in all voice parts; should be comfortable with portraying free in gender depictions; features (Bobby, Victor, “Tomorrow Belongs to Me”, etc.) will be drawn from this group; excellent dance skills required.

REHEARSALS:

Rehearsals will begin in November and will be held Sundays from 1-5pm, and 2 weekdays from 7-10pm.

Exact days will be determined by cast schedule. Tech week (attendance is required): January 26-30.

About Theater To Go:

Website: www.TheaterToGo.com FB: www.Facebook.com/TheaterToGoNJ

Theater To Go, under the leadership of Ruth Markoe, began in 1992 and has been providing quality entertainment in NJ and regionally since then. It is best known for audience participation murder mysteries and other interactive comedy theater however has expanded to include full-length plays and staged readings. T2G produced the award winning production of TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD, Mark Violi’s historical drama ROEBLING: THE STORY OF THE BROOKLYN BRIDGE, RIDING THE COMET at the NY Theater Festival Summerfest and A RAISIN IN THE SUN at Kelsey Theatre.

'Sound of Music' at Kelsey Theatre at Mercer CC.

Free Reading Tonight at Luna Stage

Susan Hyon's  Soo Jin Pretty Nail (and more!) Opens Saturday September 21-October 7 Saturdays at 8pm, Sundays at 3pm, Mondays at 7pm GET TICKETS NOW TONIGHT! MONDAY SEPT 16 @ 7 PM Steve Jobs and the Fundamental Beauty of the Universe   by Ben Morss A concert reading Directed by Ari Laura Kreith Featuring Luis Herrera, Alexander Hunt, Erin McMillen, Yamuna Meleth, Matt Moretta and Nicole Weiss FREE   RESERVE TICKETS NOW Last chance to get your Full Season Pass Six new plays for only $155! fierce • funny • heartfelt • human vibrant new plays GET YOUR SEASON PASS

Monday Night Reading series on the hunt for October spot

OCTOBER READING CONTEST

CALLING ALL PLAYWRIGHTS!

Get your work in front of a crowd!

Do you have a spooky original play or short story that you've been dying to get out there? Here's your chance!

We're holding a play contest! Our popular Monday Night Reading series is on the hunt for our coveted October Monday Night Reading spot, and it could be yours! Submit your eerie, dark, spooky, mysterious, and/or horrifying full-length, original play or short story to info@holmdeltheatrecompany.org with the subject "October Reading Submission" for the chance to be featured as our October reading selection! This spooktacular event will be a reading like no other!

Submission deadline: Friday, September 20th at midnight

Guidelines: Please include the following with your submission

Playwright Name / Author

Playwright / Author Bio

Play / Short Story Synopsis

Length of Piece

Cast of Characters

GOOD LUCK!

FULL INFO & GUIDELINES

Holmdel Theatre Company - PO Box 182, Holmdel, NJ, (732) 946-0427

Review: 'As you like it' Shakespeare's tale of love at first sight a Five Star production at STNJ

Ben Jacoby (r) fights Jonathan Higginbotham (l) Safiya Kaijya Harris & Sarah Nicole Deaver (rear center)

The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey is now presenting a five-star cast in a fascinating production of Shakespeare’s comedy ‘As You Like It’ directed by Paul Mullins (Ringmaster may be a more appropriate title considering the ebb and flow of the large cast). The complex plot includes numerous dark turns, but spoiler alert….everything comes out happily for all concerned in the end. Consider the long wordy first act as a plate of meat and potatoes as you are introduced to the large cast….with the second act as the ice cream dessert blessed with a mound of whipped cream topped with a beautiful cherry.

The basic plot is extremely simple:  Rosalind, the daughter of a Duke, whose younger brother

Ben Jacoby & S K Harris

Frederick banished him and seized his Dukedom, falls in love with a young man named Orlando, but before she can even think twice about it, she is banished by uncle Frederick. He threatens death if she comes near the court again. It gets more complicated since her best friend and cousin is Frederick’s daughter Celia. Meanwhile Orlando, suffering the wrath of his eldest brother Oliver who has denied him a proper lifestyle of a gentleman, flees into the Forest of Arden. Now Celia with Rosalind, disguised as a man, also make for the forest. Upon their arrival in the forest, they happen upon Orlando and his manservant. What follows is an elaborate scheme devised by Rosalind to find out the sincerity of Orlando's supposed passion for her, and to further capture his heart, through the witty and mischievous male façade.

Did I say simple? Most of the second act is set in the dark forest with the brightest, cleverest dialogue with typical Elizabethan risqué double entendres sprinkled throughout.

Sarah Nicole Deaver & Safiya Kaijya Harris

The spot- on leads are; Safiya Kaijya Harris as Rosalind, a welcome newcomer to the STNJ stage. She makes a very attractive girl and a handsome young man; Ben Jacoby as the love struck Orlando; Sarah Nicole Deaver as Rosalind’s equally attractive friend and clever schemer; Torsten Johnson nicely makes the transition from vile brother to proper suitor of Celia; Devin Conway is a fine Le Beau, and a pure joy as Phoebe,the shepherdess. She absolutely nails this key comedy role; directly from our rave review last month of his Rainmaker performance is the impressive Anthony Marble as Jacques. He delivers one of Shakespeare’s most quoted lines “All the world is a stage.”

Rounding out the excellent cast are; Ryan Woods (Silvius), Nick Corley (Touchstone), Jonathan Higginbotham (Charles-terrific fight scene), Elizabeth Colwell (Audrey), Roger Rathburn (Adam), Earl Baker, Jr. (a perfect Duke who commands the stage at each entrance), Jack LeGoff (Amiens), and Juliet Perrell (First Forester).

The design team includes scenic design by Brittany Vasta; costume design by Nikki Delhomme; lighting design by Tony Galaska; sound design and original music by Drew Weinstein; fight direction by Rick Sordelet (excellent). The Production Stage Manager is Jackie Mariani.

Reviewed by Rick Busciglio  September 15, 2019

The F.M. Kirby Shakespeare Theatre is located at 36 Madison Avenue (at Lancaster Road)

Madison, New Jersey (located on Drew University’s campus).

 

The Know the Show pre-show talks are offered free-of-cost. Prior to the show, an artist from The Shakespeare Theatre presents a pre-performance talk providing background information and an inside perspective on the production. This program is free with the purchase of a performance ticket and will be held on Thursday, September 19 at 7pm, with the show beginning at 8pm.

Earl Baker Jr. & Anthony Marble

The Shakespeare Theatre also offers Captioned Performances for the 2019 season. For patrons wishing to view captions of the dialogue and sound effects, the Captioned Performance for As You Like It will be held on Thursday, September 19 at 8pm. Captions are transmitted to the patrons’ web-enabled smart device via the Internet. Staff will be on hand prior to the beginning of the show and during the intermission to assist patrons.

Patrons with visual challenges can hear live descriptions of the action by attending the Audio-Described performance of As You Like It on Thursday, September 26 at 8pm. Pre-performance sensory webinars are available upon request and allow patrons to handle props, costumes, and set pieces prior to the show.

Remaining performance dates: Fridays (8pm.): September 20, September 27

Saturdays (2 pm.): September 21, September 28

Saturdays (8 pm.): September 21, September 28

Sundays (2 pm.): September 22, September 29

Sundays (7:30 pm.): September 15, September 22

For tickets and information: Call 973-408-5600 or visit ShakespeareNJ.org.